Short Summary

AT THE NATO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE WHICH OPENED IN PARIS TODAY (TUESDAY), THE UNITED STATES APPEALED TO ITS ALLIES TO TAKE A CLOSER INTEREST IN THE VIETNAM WAR, BUT MADE IT CLEAR THAT IT WAS NOT ASKING THEM TO SEND TROOPS.

Description

AT THE NATO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE WHICH OPENED IN PARIS TODAY (TUESDAY), THE UNITED STATES APPEALED TO ITS ALLIES TO TAKE A CLOSER INTEREST IN THE VIETNAM WAR, BUT MADE IT CLEAR THAT IT WAS NOT ASKING THEM TO SEND TROOPS. HOWEVER, MR. RUSK DID ASK HIS NATO PARTNERS TO JOIN THE UNITED STATES EFFORT BY SENDING DOCTORS, ENGINEERS AND TEACHERS TO THE EMBATTLED COUNTRY.

THE WINTER "STOCK-TAKING" CONFERENCE OF THE 15-MEMBER ALLIANCE BEGAN WITH MR. RUSK'S DETAILED REVIEW OF THE VIETNAM WAR AND ITS IMPACT ON SOUTH EAST ASIA AND THE FAR EAST. LATER THE CONFERENCE HEARD THE BRITISH ANALYSIS OF LATEST SOVIET THINKING, BASED ON IMPRESSIONS RECEIVED DURING THE BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY'S VISIT TO MOSCOW EARLIER THIS MONTH.

THE BRITISH VIEW WAS OUTLINED BY DEFENCE MINISTER HEALEY AND SIR PAUL GORE-BOOTH, PERMANENT UNDER-SECRETARY AT THE BRITISH FOREIGN OFFICER, IN THE ABSENCE OF FOREIGN MINISTER STEWART THROUGH ILLNESS.

DURING HIS REVIEW OF THE VIETNAM SITUATION, MR. RUSK REPEATED THAT THE UNITED STATES WAS READY TO JOIN PEACE TALKS ON VIETNAM WITHOUT PRE-CONDITIONS. BUT HE SAID HANOI HAD NOT RESPONDED TO THE PAUSE IN AMERICAN BOMBING OF THE NORTH EARLIER THIS YEAR AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION THERE WOULD BE A POSITIVE RESPONSE TO ANY FUTURE PAUSE.

AMONG OTHER SPEAKERS TODAY, WEST GERMANY'S DR. SCHROEDER DREW ATTENTION TO A NEW TOUGHNESS IN THE SOVIET ATTITUDE TO THE WEST. HE CALLED FOR THE GREATEST VIGILANCE AND COHESION IN THE FACE OF WHAT HE CALLED THE CONTINUING AGGRESSIVE CHARACTER OF SOVIET POLICY.

TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) THE MINISTERIAL COUNCIL TURNS ITS ATTENTION TO NATO MILITARY PROBLEMS. LATER IT WILL GO ON TO DEAL WITH NATO NUCLEAR SHARING AND THE RHODESIAN CRISIS.